Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission

Big impact starts with local roots. 🌱🥩 Lindsay Webb, Assistant Director of Business Retention & Operations, and Cave Spring District Supervisor Paul Mahoney recently joined regional leaders at the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee meeting, held at the Local Environmental Agriculture Project - LEAP building in Roanoke.

From locally raised beef at the Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center in Roanoke County, Virginia sold at the LEAP Community Store, to insights on the region’s growing food economy from the Roanoke Foodshed Network, the conversation highlighted the importance of supporting farmers, growers, and producers—a regional priority identified in the CEDS.

Strengthening local agriculture isn’t just a priority, it’s how we grow a more resilient regional economy!

Happy Summer Solstice! 🌞
💦Plan your Roanoke River Blueway Adventure with the 2026 Brochure and Map!

Explore the Roanoke River Blueway with the 2026 updated brochure and map—your go-to guide for planning a day on the water! 🛶

The brochure features 22 public access points on the Roanoke River and tributaries, launch ramps for kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and boats, distances between access sites, areas with rapids, safety guidance, and tips for protecting the river. You’ll also find information on local outfitters to help make your next Blueway adventure even easier.

🗺Brochures are available in various locations in Roanoke Valley. Visit the Roanoke River Blueway website https://www.roanokeriverblueway.org/ to plan your trip!

Childcare access is an important issue for our region - thank you Roanoke County Economic Development for hosting this forum!

💭Community members, organizations and businesses in the region are invited to review and comment on the proposed 2026 draft of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy through June 21st.

The regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a planning document and process that brings the public and private sectors together to create a regional economic roadmap.

✅ View the draft CEDS document and other project information at the link!

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional CEDS is a planning document/ process that brings together the public and private sectors to create a regional economic roadmap.

🎊Wonderful news to celebrate for economic development in our region!

A Historic Win: RINGANA Chooses Roanoke for Its U.S. Headquarters - Roanoke Regional RINGANA, an Austrian life sciences company specializing in premium skincare and nutritional products, today announced plans to establish its first U.S. headquarters, production, and distribution facility in the City of Roanoke. The company will invest $85 million over five years and expects to creat...

Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week is June 6-14, celebrating the largest estuary in the United States. Waterways within the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany region feed into the Upper James River, then flow nearly 350 miles to the Chesapeake Bay.

💦How we Act Regionally for a Clean Watershed:

🌳1. Supporting Tree Plantings in the Region
Tree plantings enhance water quality by slowing rainfall, increasing infiltration, and reducing stormwater runoff. They absorb water and remove nutrients and contaminants like nitrogen and phosphorus, while stabilizing erosion and improving watershed health along streambanks.

🌧️2. Rain Barrel Workshops
Rain barrels improve water quality by capturing rainwater from rooftops before it flows into storm drains and nearby streams as polluted runoff. This helps reduce erosion, flooding, and the amount of fertilizers, sediment, and other pollutants that reach local waterways.

⏺️3. Septic Pump-Out Program
Regular septic maintenance prevents system failures that could release untreated wastewater into groundwater, streams, and lakes. By removing accumulated solids, pump-outs reduce the risk of contaminants reaching nearby water, protecting drinking water sources and help keep watersheds healthier.

🚰4. Water Quality Education
We engage in public education and outreach to promote environmental sustainability and encourage participation in water protection efforts. We partner with nonprofits, schools and public agencies throughout the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany region.

✨🍃Learn more about regional water quality and sustainability initiatives at https://rvarc.org/resiliency

Chesapeake Bay Program

The first Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission meeting at the Regional Commission office took place on May 27, joined by the new Greenway Coordinator, Molly Maxwell.

Molly shared that it was "an honor to finally meet the full membership of the Greenways Commission, the efforts of whom have culminated into hundreds of miles of trails throughout the Roanoke Valley over the past 30 years. I'm looking forward to working with this dedicated group to continue expanding this important community asset."

We enjoyed participating in a farm tour at Garden Variety Harvests last week to kick off the Roanoke Region Food and Farm Trail, an initiative organized by the Roanoke Foodshed Network. 🥗

Whether you’re looking for seasonal produce, farm products, or new places to explore, you can find local food and farm destinations at https://roanokefoodandfarmtrail.com/

This interactive, searchable website links people to farms and food businesses across the region, along with events and storytelling through a “Good Food, Good People” video series.

Amanda McGee, the Community Development Director for the Regional Commission, spoke at the event, emphasizing how supporting the local food system boosts economic development.

💵According to research from Capital One Shopping, 97% of individuals search online when shopping locally, and of every $100 spent, approximately $68 stays in the community.

The Roanoke Region Food and Farm Trail locations span across Roanoke and Salem cities, as well as Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Montgomery, and Roanoke counties.

Support local and discover all that our region has to offer! 🌱🍅🚜

💬Use your voice to help shape transportation in our region's rural areas!

Residents, businesses, and community stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the Rural Roanoke Valley Transportation Plan.

✅Share your feedback at https://engage.rvarc.org/rlrtp

This plan will guide transportation priorities through 2050 for Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Roanoke, and Franklin Counties, the City of Covington, and the Towns of Clifton Forge, Fincastle, New Castle, and Rocky Mount.

Your feedback is crucial for identifying transportation needs, such as road conditions, safety, and connectivity. Public input will help develop strategies to enhance safety, maintain infrastructure, and improve access to jobs, schools, and healthcare.

Whether you drive, walk, bike, ride transit, or rely on community transportation, your perspective is important! 🚗🚚🚌🚴‍♀️🚶🏼‍♂️

Alleghany County, Virginia | City of Covington, VA | Clifton Forge, Virginia | Botetourt County | New Castle, Virginia | Town of Fincastle | Franklin County, VA | Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia | Roanoke County, Virginia